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Peptide

Liraglutide (Victoza/Saxenda)

Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide approved by the FDA for type 2 diabetes (Victoza, 1.8mg daily) and chronic weight management (Saxenda, 3.0mg daily). It is a 97% homologous analog of human GLP-1 with a fatty acid side chain enabling albumin binding and once-daily dosing. The LEAD, SCALE, and LEADER clinical trial programs demonstrated significant benefits for glycemic control, weight loss, and cardiovascular outcomes.

Research notice. This page is for education and research. Peptides may not be FDA-approved for human use and may only be legally available for research. Talk to a qualified clinician before considering any peptide.

Best evidence
Grade A
Conditions studied
3
Outcomes
22
Graded outcomes
9634

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

3 conditions, plus general outcomes

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes: outcomes studied for Liraglutide (Victoza/Saxenda)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
HbA1c Reduction

LEAD trials showed HbA1c reductions of 1.0-1.14% with liraglutide. LEADER showed sustained 0.40% greater reduction vs placebo at 36 months.

Improves (the measure goes down)Large effect19 studies

Studies that measured hba1c reduction

and 9 more in the citations list

Glycemic Control

LEAD-3 showed liraglutide 1.8mg superior to glimepiride monotherapy for glycemic control (1.14% vs 0.51% HbA1c reduction, P<0.0001).

Improves (the measure goes up)Large effect19 studies

Studies that measured glycemic control

and 9 more in the citations list

Hypoglycemia Risk

LEAD trials showed liraglutide associated with lower hypoglycemia rates compared to sulfonylureas due to glucose-dependent action.

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect16 studies

Studies that measured hypoglycemia risk

and 6 more in the citations list

Beta-Cell Function

Studies suggest liraglutide may preserve beta-cell function and reduce glycemic deterioration over time.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect16 studies

Studies that measured beta-cell function

and 6 more in the citations list

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular Disease: outcomes studied for Liraglutide (Victoza/Saxenda)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE)

LEADER trial (9,340 patients) showed 13% reduction in MACE with liraglutide vs placebo (HR 0.87, P=0.01) in high-risk T2DM patients.

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect17 studies

Studies that measured major adverse cardiovascular events (mace)

and 7 more in the citations list

Cardiovascular Mortality

LEADER trial showed significant reduction in cardiovascular death with liraglutide vs placebo in patients with T2DM and high CV risk.

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect14 studies

Studies that measured cardiovascular mortality

and 4 more in the citations list

All-Cause Mortality

LEADER trial demonstrated reduced all-cause mortality with liraglutide compared to placebo over median 3.8 years follow-up.

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect9 studies

Studies that measured all-cause mortality

Obesity

  • Body Weight Reduction: improves
  • Weight Loss ≥5% Achievement: changes; see studies
  • Weight Loss ≥10% Achievement: changes; see studies
Obesity: outcomes studied for Liraglutide (Victoza/Saxenda)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Body Weight Reduction

SCALE trial showed 8.4kg mean weight loss vs 2.8kg placebo at 56 weeks. Meta-analysis confirms 5.04kg greater weight reduction vs placebo in non-diabetic patients.

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect13 studies

Studies that measured body weight reduction

and 3 more in the citations list

Weight Loss ≥5% Achievement

SCALE trial showed 63.2% achieved ≥5% weight loss with liraglutide 3.0mg vs 27.1% placebo.

Changes; see studiesLarge effect13 studies

Studies that measured weight loss ≥5% achievement

and 3 more in the citations list

Weight Loss ≥10% Achievement

SCALE trial showed 33.1% achieved ≥10% weight loss with liraglutide 3.0mg vs 10.6% placebo.

Changes; see studiesLarge effect13 studies

Studies that measured weight loss ≥10% achievement

and 3 more in the citations list

General

  • Safety/Tolerability: improves
  • Blood Glucose Control: improves
  • Liver Protection: improves
General: outcomes studied for Liraglutide (Victoza/Saxenda)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Safety/Tolerability

11 human trials and systematic reviews support this finding. Evidence includes systematic reviews/meta-analyses. Human clinical trial data available.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect16 studies

Studies that measured safety/tolerability

and 6 more in the citations list

Blood Glucose Control

27 human trials and systematic reviews support this finding. Evidence includes systematic reviews/meta-analyses. Human clinical trial data available.

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect15 studies

Studies that measured blood glucose control

and 5 more in the citations list

Liver Protection

8 human trials and systematic reviews support this finding. Evidence includes systematic reviews/meta-analyses. Human clinical trial data available.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect13 studies

Studies that measured liver protection

and 3 more in the citations list

Kidney Function

6 human trials and systematic reviews support this finding. Evidence includes systematic reviews/meta-analyses. Human clinical trial data available.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect11 studies

Studies that measured kidney function

and 1 more in the citations list

Anti-Inflammatory Activity

5 human trials support this finding. Human clinical trial data available.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect10 studies

Studies that measured anti-inflammatory activity

Cardiac Protection

5 preclinical studies support this finding. Primarily preclinical evidence.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect10 studies
Neuroprotection

3 preclinical studies support this finding. Primarily preclinical evidence.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect8 studies
Muscle Mass/Function

3 preclinical studies support this finding. Primarily preclinical evidence.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect8 studies
Sleep Quality

2 human trials support this finding. Human clinical trial data available.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect7 studies
Blood Pressure

2 human trials and systematic reviews support this finding. Evidence includes systematic reviews/meta-analyses. Human clinical trial data available.

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect7 studies
Cognitive Function

2 preclinical studies support this finding. Primarily preclinical evidence.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect7 studies
GI Protection

2 preclinical studies support this finding. Primarily preclinical evidence.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect7 studies

Key findings

  • HbA1c ReductionType 2 DiabetesImproves (the measure goes down)
  • Glycemic ControlType 2 DiabetesImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE)Cardiovascular DiseaseImproves (the measure goes down)

Safety notes in the studies

  • LEADER trial (9,340 patients) showed 13% reduction in MACE with liraglutide vs placebo (HR 0.87, P=0.01) in high-risk T2DM patients.
  • LEADER trial showed significant reduction in cardiovascular death with liraglutide vs placebo in patients with T2DM and high CV risk.

Studies cited

77 studies from PubMed

  1. Exploring Liraglutide's mechanism in reducing renal fibrosis: the Fsp1-CoQ10-NAD(P)H pathway.Scientific reports, 2025 · PMID 39799153
  2. Liraglutide for idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a real-world propensity score-matched study.Annals of clinical and translational neurology, 2025 · PMID 39949066
  3. A comprehensive review on liraglutide and novel nanocarrier-based systems for the effective delivery of liraglutide.Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology, 2025 · PMID 40014122
  4. Current status of Liraglutide delivery systems for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.Drug delivery and translational research, 2025 · PMID 40914786
  5. Liraglutide improves peripheral perfusion and markers of angiogenesis and inflammation in people with type 2 diabetes and peripheral artery disease: An 18-month follow-up of a randomized clinical trial.Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2025 · PMID 40276845
  6. Liraglutide improves senescence and ameliorating diabetic sarcopenia via the YAP-TAZ pathway.Journal of diabetes and its complications, 2025 · PMID 39987624
  7. Effects of liraglutide on body composition in people living with obesity or overweight: A systematic review.Obesity research & clinical practice, 2025 · PMID 39904668
  8. The safety and efficacy of liraglutide combined with metformin in clinical treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome patients: a meta-analysis.BMC women's health, 2025 · PMID 40481408
  9. Liraglutide ameliorates diabetic kidney disease by modulating gut microbiota and L-5-Oxoproline.European journal of pharmacology, 2024 · PMID 39154828
  10. Liraglutide alleviates ferroptosis in renal ischemia reperfusion injury via inhibiting macrophage extracellular trap formation.International immunopharmacology, 2024 · PMID 39340991
  11. Psychiatric adverse events associated with semaglutide, liraglutide and tirzepatide: a pharmacovigilance analysis of individual case safety reports submitted to the EudraVigilance database.International journal of clinical pharmacy, 2024 · PMID 38265519
  12. Liraglutide Improves Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Downregulation of Cardiac Inflammatory and Apoptosis Markers.Current drug research reviews, 2024 · PMID 37966282
  13. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate critically modulates cardiac GLP-1 receptor's anti-inflammatory effects.Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.], 2024 · PMID 39305297
  14. Liraglutide alleviates experimental diabetic cardiomyopathy in a PDH-dependent manner.The Journal of endocrinology, 2024 · PMID 38860519
  15. Liraglutide's Effect on Weight Management in Subjects With Pre-diabetes: A Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis.Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, 2024 · PMID 38782201
  16. Liraglutide innovations: a comprehensive review of patents (2014-2024).Pharmaceutical patent analyst, 2024 · PMID 39316579
  17. Risk of Gastrointestinal Adverse Events Associated With Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss.JAMA, 2023 · PMID 37796527
  18. Sleep is increased by liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, in rats.Brain research bulletin, 2023 · PMID 36410565
  19. Egg Microneedle for Transdermal Delivery of Active Liraglutide.Advanced healthcare materials, 2023 · PMID 36617627
  20. Liraglutide attenuates type 2 diabetes mellitus-associated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by activating AMPK/ACC signaling and inhibiting ferroptosis.Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.), 2023 · PMID 37770820
  21. Liraglutide alleviates myocardial ischemia‒reperfusion injury in diabetic mice.Molecular and cellular endocrinology, 2023 · PMID 37172886
  22. Liraglutide and learning.Nature neuroscience, 2023 · PMID 37789197
  23. Efficacy and Safety of Liraglutide 3.0 mg in Patients with Overweight and Obese with or without Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisInt J Endocrinol, 2022 · PMID 35846205
  24. Efficacy of liraglutide in patients with diabetic nephropathy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.BMC endocrine disorders, 2022 · PMID 35392872
  25. Efficacy and safety of liraglutide for obesity and people who are overweight: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Expert review of clinical pharmacology, 2022 · PMID 36180402
  26. Liraglutide Attenuates Glucolipotoxicity-Induced RSC96 Schwann Cells' Inflammation and Dysfunction.Biomolecules, 2022 · PMID 36291547
  27. Therapeutic application of GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists in Parkinson's disease.Expert opinion on therapeutic targets, 2022 · PMID 35584372
  28. Liraglutide Nano-Preparation on Perioperative Neurocognitive Dysfunction in Aged Mice.Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France), 2022 · PMID 35988182
  29. Liraglutide attenuates hepatic iron levels and ferroptosis in db/db mice.Bioengineered, 2022 · PMID 35311455
  30. Liraglutide Attenuates Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Modulating Macrophage Polarization.Frontiers in immunology, 2022 · PMID 35450076
  31. Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist, exerts analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-degradative actions in osteoarthritis.Scientific reports, 2022 · PMID 35091584
  32. Liraglutide monotherapy and add on therapy on obese women with polycystic ovarian syndromes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Minerva medica, 2022 · PMID 33555153
  33. Liraglutide in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Clinics and research in hepatology and gastroenterology, 2021 · PMID 33309563
  34. Efficacy and Safety of Liraglutide 3.0 mg in Individuals With Overweight or Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Treated With Basal Insulin: The SCALE Insulin Randomized Controlled TrialDiabetes Care, 2020 · PMID 32171407
  35. Effects of Liraglutide on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes Patients With and Without Baseline Metformin Use: Post Hoc Analyses of the LEADER TrialDiabetes Ther, 2020 · PMID 32647053
  36. Effects of Liraglutide on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Diabetes With or Without Heart FailureJACC, 2020 · PMID 32029446
  37. Liraglutide reduces systolic blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis of randomized trials.Clinical and experimental hypertension (New York, N.Y. : 1993), 2020 · PMID 31610701
  38. Liraglutide as Adjunct to Insulin Treatment in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Current diabetes reviews, 2020 · PMID 31203802
  39. Liraglutide for the prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events in diabetic patients.Expert review of cardiovascular therapy, 2019 · PMID 31055989
  40. Liraglutide toxicity presenting to the emergency department: A case report and literature review.Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA, 2019 · PMID 31304652
  41. The efficacy and safety of liraglutide in the obese, non-diabetic individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis.African health sciences, 2019 · PMID 32127832
  42. Liraglutide and its Neuroprotective Properties-Focus on Possible Biochemical Mechanisms in Alzheimer's Disease and Cerebral Ischemic Events.International journal of molecular sciences, 2019 · PMID 30823403
  43. Liraglutide for the Treatment of Obesity: Analyzing Published Reviews.Current pharmaceutical design, 2019 · PMID 31267857
  44. Effects of Liraglutide on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Diabetes With or Without History of Myocardial Infarction or StrokeCirculation, 2018 · PMID 30335583
  45. Effects of Liraglutide Versus Placebo on Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney DiseaseCirculation, 2018 · PMID 30590405
  46. Practice pearl: liraglutide and cardiovascular and renal events in type 2 diabetes.Postgraduate medicine, 2018 · PMID 29350569
  47. Liraglutide for weight management: a critical review of the evidenceObes Sci Pract, 2017 · PMID 28392927
  48. Cardiovascular safety of liraglutide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.Expert opinion on drug safety, 2017 · PMID 28387138
  49. Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 DiabetesN Engl J Med, 2016 · PMID 27295427
  50. The Current Role of Liraglutide in the Pharmacotherapy of Obesity.Current vascular pharmacology, 2016 · PMID 26074046
  51. Effect of liraglutide 3.0 mg in individuals with obesity and moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea: the SCALE Sleep Apnea randomized clinical trial.International journal of obesity (2005), 2016 · PMID 27005405
  52. Liraglutide (Saxenda) for Weight Loss.American family physician, 2016 · PMID 27419334
  53. Efficacy and Safety of Liraglutide Added to Insulin Treatment in Type 1 Diabetes: The ADJUNCT ONE Treat-To-Target Randomized Trial.Diabetes care, 2016 · PMID 27506222
  54. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight ManagementN Engl J Med, 2015 · PMID 26132939
  55. Efficacy of Liraglutide for Weight Loss Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: The SCALE Diabetes Randomized Clinical TrialJAMA, 2015 · PMID 26284720
  56. Liraglutide and obesity: a review of the data so far.Drug design, development and therapy, 2015 · PMID 25848222
  57. Liraglutide: a review of its use in the management of obesity.Drugs, 2015 · PMID 25985864
  58. Liraglutide: an injectable option for the management of obesity.The Annals of pharmacotherapy, 2015 · PMID 25986009
  59. Liraglutide (Saxenda) for weight loss.The Medical letter on drugs and therapeutics, 2015 · PMID 26079762
  60. Liraglutide for Type 2 diabetes and obesity: a 2015 update.Expert review of cardiovascular therapy, 2015 · PMID 26106933
  61. Liraglutide: A New Option for the Treatment of Obesity.Pharmacotherapy, 2015 · PMID 26497479
  62. ROOTS: A multicenter study in Belgium to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of liraglutide (Victoza®) in type 2 diabetic patients.Diabetes & metabolic syndrome, 2015 · PMID 26004030
  63. Insulin Degludec/Liraglutide: A Review in Type 2 Diabetes.Drugs, 2015 · PMID 26242767
  64. Insulin degludec/liraglutide: innovation-driven combination for advancement in diabetes therapy.Expert opinion on biological therapy, 2014 · PMID 24702171
  65. Liraglutide: a review of its use in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Drugs, 2014 · PMID 25367717
  66. Liraglutide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.Advances in therapy, 2014 · PMID 25388240
  67. The arcuate nucleus mediates GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide-dependent weight loss.The Journal of clinical investigation, 2014 · PMID 25202980
  68. Clinical pearls for initiating and utilizing liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes.Journal of pharmacy practice, 2013 · PMID 23204146
  69. Liraglutide-induced acute kidney injury.Pharmacotherapy, 2012 · PMID 22392833
  70. Liraglutide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.Health technology assessment (Winchester, England), 2011 · PMID 21609656
  71. Liraglutide: a review of its use in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.Drugs, 2011 · PMID 22085389
  72. Liraglutide (Victoza) for type 2 diabetes.The Medical letter on drugs and therapeutics, 2010 · PMID 20360660
  73. [Liraglutide (Victoza): human glucagon-like peptide-1 used in once daily injection for the treatment of type 2 diabetes].Revue medicale de Liege, 2010 · PMID 20857706
  74. Efficacy and safety comparison of liraglutide, glimepiride, and placebo, all in combination with metformin, in type 2 diabetes: the LEAD (liraglutide effect and action in diabetes)-2 studyDiabetes Care, 2009 · PMID 18931095
  75. Liraglutide versus glimepiride monotherapy for type 2 diabetes (LEAD-3 Mono): a randomised, 52-week, phase III, double-blind, parallel-treatment trialLancet, 2009 · PMID 18819705
  76. Liraglutide: a new treatment for type 2 diabetes.Drugs of today (Barcelona, Spain : 1998), 2009 · PMID 19343230
  77. Liraglutide: a review of its use in type 2 diabetes mellitus.Drugs, 2009 · PMID 19747013